Timeline of Mount Rainier expeditions
[4] The Wilkes expedition made the first successful navigation over the Naches Pass just north of Mount Rainier, which had been seen as a potential route for overland wagon travel.
[4] In 1853, Theodore Winthrop visited the Northwest and wrote about his travel experience in the region in the book The Canoe and the Saddle, published in 1863.
[5][4] In his writings, Winthrop intentionally used the term Tacoma to refer to Mount Rainier, opting for the anglicized Lushootseed word for "snow-covered mountain.
"[5][4][6][7] Winthrop's book described in detail Mount Rainier and the Native Americans of the region, inspiring future travelers.
[4] The first settler upon the slopes of Mount Rainier itself was James Longmire, an American who came to Washington Territory in 1853 with his family via the overland Naches Pass route.
[4][8] Longmire would go on to locate a mineral claim at the base of Mount Rainier, leading to an increase of prospectors to the region and eventually an increase in tourists after, with the aid of some local American Indians, they cleared a road from the Succotash Valley to the springs and established Longmire hotel and health spa in 1884.
[11][12][4] Tolmie, from Scotland, had arrived in the Pacific Northwest in the Spring of 1830 and helped with the construction of Fort Nisqually beginning in May 1833.
Rainier as part of a botanical excursion and was to be accompanied by five Native Americans including the Nisqually chief Lachalet, Lachalet's nephew Lashima, Nuckalkut and Quilniash of the Puyallup people, and one other unnamed Native American all of whom were to assist with navigation and in the finding of medicinal herbs.
[12][4][11] Once near the destination, Tolmie and one of the Native Americans on the trip climbed a nearby peak and were able to view Mt.
[13][4][14] While stationed at Fort Steilacoom as part of the Indian Wars, Lieutenant August V. Kautz learned much about Mt.
[13][4] The troop set up camp in the Mishawl Prairie before leaving their horses and making their approach to the mountain.
Hazard Stevens and Philemon Beecher Van Trump were the first recorded to reach the summit of Mount Rainier.
The two men met in 1867 while Van Trump was employed as the governor's secretary and Stevens was working for the Oregon Steam Navigation Company.
[15][14] While they were on the Yelm Prairie, Stevens and Van Trump met Edmund T. Coleman, an experienced mountain climber who agreed to accompany them.
[15] A Yakama man named Sluiskin knew the area well from hunting wild game and agreed to take them.
Sluiskin warned Stevens and Van Trump, referring to them as friends, that if the natural elements did not kill them, then the spirit would.
[15] Above 10,000 feet the climb became treacherous, and the two men fought through dangerous snow and ice[15] to what they assumed was the tallest point.
[14] They were forced to spend the night near the summit, huddling inside a cave containing a steam vent, unsure of their chances of survival.
As they neared the end of their journey, Van Trump slipped, sliding 40 feet, severely gashed his thigh.
[14] When they found Sluiskin hunting near the camp, he at first would not approach them, unsure if they were real flesh and blood, or ghosts.
[4] Emmons and Wilson both were scientists working in the region as part of the United States Government Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel.
Rainier National Park was officially established, protecting the area federally and leading to many future ascents of Mt.
